Rail-joint.



M. G. HELM.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION .FILED OGT.30. 1313.

Patented Aug. 25, 1914.

TTTTTT EY UNITED As'ra'rns PATENT ernten..

MICHAEL G. HELM, 0F STREETER, NORTH DAKOTA.

RAIL-JOINT.

Specication of Letters Patent. l 1331363316311 Aug', 25, 19114.

Application 1ed October 30, 19.13. Serial No. 798,303.

T0 all whom it may concern:

4Be it 'known that I, MICHAEL GEORGE HELM, av subject of the Emperor ofGermany, residing at Streeter, in the county of Stutsman and State ofNorth Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRail-Joints, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad thereinto the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to rail joints, and has for its object to providemeans, in a manner as hereinafter set forth for connecting the abuttingends of a pair of rails together and for further connecting the saidabutting ends to a tie, at the same time permitting for the expansionand 'contraction of the rails due to the changes in temperature.

Further objects of the invention, are to providela rail joint, which issimple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, efficientin its use and conveniently set up.

TWith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthev novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts ashereinafter4 more specifically described and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated an embodiment of theinvention, but it is to be understood that-changes, variations andmodifications can be resorted to which come within the scope ofthe claimhereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several viewsze-Figuxe 1 is a side elevation partlyin section of a pair of rails having the opposing ends thereof connectedtogether. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan, of a pair of rails having theopposing ends connected together, and Fig. 3 is a cross section Viewthrough the joint.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 4f denotes a tie for supporting theends of a pair of rails 5, 6. Each of said rails-has its web at one endenlarged as at 8, and formed integral with the enlarged portion 8 of theweb 7 is a longitudinally extending rectangular tongue 9, which projectsfrom the terminus 10 of the rail. Each of said rails 5, 6, has its web 7at the -other end formed with an elongated longitudinally extendingenlargement 11, which is`flush at its free end with the terminus 12 ofthe rail, and

the width of said enlargement is the same as the head 13 of the rail,the said enlargement 11 extending from the base 14 of the rail to -thehead 13 and is flush with the sides of the head. The enlargement 11 iscut away to provide a longitudinally extending pocket 15 for thereception of the tongue- 9, the latter being provided'with a verticallydisposed opening 16, the lower .portion thereof taperingas at 17. Thebase 14 of the rail is formed with a tapering opening 18, whichregisters with the tapering portion 17 of the opening 16. The head 13 ofthe rail is formed with an opening 19, having a A'Haring upper portion20 to form what may be termed a counter-sink. The opening 19 registerswith the top of the opening 16. Extending down through the openings 19,16 and 18, is a .fastener member 21, having a wedge-shaped lower portion22 and a head 22E, which when the fastener member-is secured in positionis mounted countersunk portion 20 whereby the head will be flush withthe tread of the rail. The

against the fastener member 21 is in the form of a spike and extendsdown into the tic 4, whereby the interengaging ends of the rails 5, 6,are coupled together and secured to the tie 4. Thefastener member doesnot snugly engage the wall of the opening 16, noi' does the tongue Jextend to the inner wall of the pocket 15, under which conditionsclearance is lnadefor contraction as well as expansion of the rails.

What I claim isz- A rail joint comprising the combination with a pair ofopposing rails, one of which being provided with a pocket and the otherwith a tongue,'the said tongue extending into said pocket, and a'fastener member 'extending down through the head `and base of one railand through said tongue and being adapted to engage in a tie forconnecting together the opposing ends of the rails and securing the sameto the tie, said fastening member having its head countersunk in thehead of said rail and its lower portion formed substantiallywedge-shape.

I-n testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.-

/ MICHAEL G. HELM.

Vitnesses:

C. W'. SPAULDING, Jr., ADonrH GRAF.

